It’s happened to all of us, walking down the street when all of a sudden we spot a puppy walking by. Immediately you are petting the adorable pup and feel the love – regardless of what breed the dog is. All dogs are irresistible as puppies, and the responsibilities and challenges that comes with a puppy is easy to forget when you’re holding these little bundles of joy. To help you out, we’ve listed the top things to keep in mind when getting a puppy.
1. Puppy proofing
You always have to keep in mind that puppies are just like babies – they are private investigators who need to know what everything is, and how it works! Puppies are experts on chewing, ripping and destroying anything, and therefore you have to puppy proof your house by getting down to your future pup’s level to see their point of view. In other words, it’s essential to keep electrical sockets, wires, wrappers of any kind or other things that could harm the puppy out of sight. A useful advice is to ensure you have loads of chew toys and treats to keep them occupied, as this will keep them from going on destroy mode! And guys – remember to praise your pup’s good behaviour with treats as this positive reinforcement will help motivate them to avoid less desirable behaviour.
2. Potty Training
Regardless of how flawless your pup’s future behaviour will be, these accidents will happen in the beginning. It’s important to keep calm even though these things can be challenging, as puppies learning how to adapt to grown-up behaviour, so unfortunately you have to be prepared to clean up a bit after your beloved little bundle of joy. As puppies are in constant development and grow very fast, potty training takes a while, so be prepared with patience AND paper towels. It’s the same thing as for babies – puppies are still learning how to control their bladder, so even if they are really trying to learn, sometimes they just can’t help themselves!
3. Socialising
If there’s one thing we know, it’s that puppies love getting human attention but these little fellas need doggy friends too. This is because socialising is extremely important for your pup’s future health and happiness. After your puppy has gotten their shots, you should therefore take your puppy to everyday environments that he or she will encounter, regardless of if her normal day would be hanging out in the dog park or taking a refreshing hike with other pets. If your puppy seems to be hesitant or slightly afraid of other dogs or humans, you should always remain calm and lead by example – your pup will look at your reaction to see if everything is OK. If you can avoid it, don’t pick your puppy up if they seem slightly fearful, because this may result in them feeling that the fear was legitimate. Once the initial hesitation is gone, your pup will be able to enjoy life with other animals and humans, and that’s what life is all about, isn’t it?
4. Routine
When you have decided to get a pup it’s very important to establish a routine and schedule, as this help them to get used to being around you in your home and this in extension increases their confidence. Even though the training can be really challenging due to the short attention span of your pup, it’s important to keep up the good work! Puppies are really smart, so with the right help from you, they will quickly become the most obedient pup ever! Remember that your pup will understand you more easily if you and other humans interacting with them use the same words for the same things and commandos – every time!
5. Pet your Pup
A puppy means a lifetime of nudges to get attention – and you have to be ready to give this to them! We’re sure you’ll fall in love with your puppy, so make sure to give them all the love that you feel! Dogs love showing their affection for you, so therefore you should always return the affection as this will make your puppy happy, relaxed and more self confident. Furthermore, you will strengthen your unique bond, and this lasts a lifetime.